First Box of Cigars

**BlackRain** · 11-10-2005, 11:50 PM

Hello everyone,
after a bit of reading here on the forums I decided to give it a try and join up. I just purchased my first box of cigars while on vacation in the dominican (and after some research on how to spot a fake). I purchased a 25 count of MonteCristo #2 for the decent price of.... well we will just keep that part secret...lol, and was wondering if I should take the time to let them age before smoking them or just jump right in and start smoking? I am also wondering about storage for the cigars.... how long can I let them sit without a humidor? Is there anything I could store them in for the short term until I purchase myself a humidor? I'm not too keen on the zip lock baggie idea but I do have plenty of the wifes tupperware laying around.

Cheers Everyone and thanks for the help in advance.
Best Regards,
BlackRain.

reaganyouth84 · 11-11-2005, 12:02 AM

I've used my mom's tuperware before with a damp sponge/sock. I wouldn't suggest it as a long term solution for a whole box of cigars though.

-Mike

**prophetic_joe** · 11-11-2005, 12:03 AM

OK I'm gonna be nice and assume you may be serious and that this isn't a hey I got all these fake cuban cigars and hey does anyone wanna buy some? It's generally not a good plan to talk cubans your first post.

anyway yes you will want a humidor or get a coolerdor do a search for either of these and you will find a weath of info on it. for what reagan said is completely correct. Hope you're genuine and welcome to the hobby.

bigpoppapuff · 11-11-2005, 12:12 AM

i don't want to burst your bubble,but if you bought monty's in the D.R. that you think are cuban....they're probably not......close to a 100% chance that they're fake....

**BlackRain** · 11-11-2005, 12:19 AM

I thank you for the information.... on the flip side .... yes I am genuine about my purchase and I am NOT interested in selling them to anyone. A nice British fellow I met while on vacation was kind enough to point out that the Monte's were a very popular cigar and recommended the purchase to me. I did however spend more than a few hours on the net researching the "how to spot a fake sites" as I did not want to become the next newbie to get taken. I am more concerned with how to properly store them so that my purchase doesn't get ruined from my own inexperience. The whole RH, negative, positive, distilled water thing has me just a tad on my heels to be honest so I figure the best way to learn is to ask. I have only had the pleasure of smoking a few quality cigars in the past and have enjoyed them immensly. I am quite proud of my first purchase being a quality cuban and don't see why a newbie shouldn't talk about cubans to be honest.

BlackRain.

bigpoppapuff · 11-11-2005, 12:22 AM

i don't care about someone suggesting the brand to you...what i'm telling you again is that they're almost certainly fake......

**BlackRain** · 11-11-2005, 12:49 AM

Ok now this is getting bad...... it's OK for one of the Older Members to purchase a box of cuban's and talk about it but not the newbie's. Your basically telling me that no matter what .... MY purchase is a fake just because it was bought in the dominican and because I'm a newbie..... Nice. That inspite of my research on fake cigars and my careful examination of the seals, labels, box and bands in comparison to the pictures of fakes on the net that I have no intelligence whatsoever and that these are 100% fake cigars. That inspite of the professional tocacanists who posted said information about fakes on the net that I am 100% wrong and that my purchase no matter what was of fakes. Hey who am I to argue..... I'm just the new guy, I couldn't possibly have considered that there are fakes being bought and sold each day.
If this is the way that new members or people who are interested in the hobby are treated on this board then I most definatly do not want to be a part of it. I joined this board to meet a few new people who enjoy cigars as I do and to seek more information about them. Instead of a friendly hello welcome to the board I get slammed.... just because I bought a box of cubans which of course are 100% fake because I am a newbie.

**Bkcloud114** · 11-11-2005, 01:01 AM

BPP didn't slam you in anyway..... all he said was that are probably fake. I think he has alot more experience than you..... and I don't care how much time you spent on the internet researching fake ISOMs.

Stick thhem in a tupperware until you get a humidor..... DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

Your response to BPP should have been..... "thanks for the heads up..... but how should I store them anyway"

**ggiese** · 11-11-2005, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by Bkcloud114

BPP didn't slam you in anyway..... all he said was that are probably fake. I think he has alot more experience than you..... and I don't care how much time you spent on the internet researching fake ISOMs.

Stick thhem in a tupperware until you get a humidor..... DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

Your response to BPP should have been..... "thanks for the heads up..... but how should I store them anyway"

Yep... And I'd say of you knew Sid (BPP) from interacting with him on the board you'd know he's a very stand up guy. The guy has tons of experience with cigars - and I'd say if he tells you they're fake - there's a damn good chance they're fake.

But I guess it really doesn't matter, does it. If you enjoy smoking them and you're not trying to sell them, that's all you have to worry about. You're not impressing anyone with your purchase (other than yourself).

So - sit back, enjoy yourself. No need for a fight - and if you want to leave over this discussion I'd say you're not ready for the cigar boards (this board or any other...). It takes a little bit thicker skin to survive...

**Roham** · 11-11-2005, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by Bkcloud114

BPP didn't slam you in anyway..... all he said was that are probably fake. I think he has alot more experience than you..... and I don't care how much time you spent on the internet researching fake ISOMs.

Stick thhem in a tupperware until you get a humidor..... DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

Your response to BPP should have been..... "thanks for the heads up..... but how should I store them anyway"

Actually, if he just said "probably" the guy would of probably responded differently. But he said basicly 100%.

Even I thought that's extreme. I'd say 50% chance. Maybe 90% cause he's a newbie. But 100% fake?

We have to remember that they are illegal in the USA, but no where else, including the DR.

Anyways, welcome to the board! I hope you continue to join us here. It truly is a bunch of great guys

**prophetic_joe** · 11-11-2005, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by BlackRain

I am quite proud of my first purchase being a quality cuban and don't see why a newbie shouldn't talk about cubans to be honest.

BlackRain.

A newbie shouldn't talk about cubans in his first post simply because the forum sites are constantly being attacked by people trying to sell fake cubans and when a newbie gets on and in his first post is discussing cubans it normally leads to the guy trying to sell them. if it's your first post the older members here will see it and think automatically that you are a scam artist who thinks we are all so stupid that you can buy yourself some swisher sweets throw a fake cuban band on them and we'll pay you top dollar. you have stated that this is not the case and my warning stands. it normally doesn't start you off on the right foot with the older members. it's just about establishing trust and proving you're a legit guy who wants to honestly be a part of the brotherhood of cigar smokers.

and as far as what BPP said don't take it harshly the guys here, myself included, are generally a bit rough around the edges but they take care of each other and will take care of you. you just got to give it time and build those relationships.

**SuperChuck** · 11-11-2005, 09:25 AM

BPP comes off as brash to a lot of newbies because he uses very few words. :)

He is, however, rediculously knowedgeable in cigars, so listen to what he says. :)
He works as a rep in the cigar biz and has travelled tobacco-growing nations extensively. He really knows his stuff...

Are you planning on getting a humidor? If so, you can store your smokes in a ziploc freezer bag (not sandwich bags). If you're NOT planning on getting a humidor, tupperware is fine. HOWEVER, don't use your wife's. Get yourself a nice new piece and donate it to your wife AFTER the smokes are gone. You don't want your very expensive cubans (or "cubans") tasting like meatloaf.

If you're planning on storing these bad boys for more than a couple days, you should build yourself a humidifier. Get yourself a new sponge, florist foam, or paper towel, dampen it with a couple drops of distilled water, and place it in a sandwich bag. Leave the sandwich bag open so the humidity can get out. Refresh your sponge every few weeks and you should be good to go.

bigpoppapuff · 11-11-2005, 11:31 AM

having been to the D.R. at least a dozen times,i've had many opportunities to buy "cubans".....i asked two people who i trust.....guillermo leon (owner of la aurora) and manuel quesada (owner of matasa)...the question i asked was "can one buy cuban cigars in the D.R.?"....they both said "absolutey NO!!!".....factories get closed/raided on a regular basis making fakes....even experts have a difficult time deciphering the realness of the cigars,bands,labels,boxes,et al......they're that good.....but if two of the giants in the industry say no...i'm going with no.......
........now,maybe yours are real.......in any case,enjoy them...toughen the skin up a bit and learn....

**hp-^** · 11-11-2005, 11:36 AM

No, he's telling you they're fake not because you're new, but because he's not.

bigpoppapuff · 11-11-2005, 11:47 AM

i'd be real interested to find out where you bought them,what you paid,and did they have anything else other than cohiba,RyJ,and monte's??.......hmmmmm???.....

**godfather** · 11-11-2005, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by prophetic_joe

A newbie shouldn't talk about cubans in his first post.

PJ is right BlackRain, we get a lot of 'one post wonders' talking about Cuban Cigars and later wanting to sell them. If you've been on these boards long enough, you'll notice these patterns and they get tiring to read.

Of course there are exceptions. It's always good practice to start by introducing yourself, give us a little background on you, ease in and fire away with the questions.

As far as BPP is concerned, he's a stand up guy, a wealth of cigar knowledge and pretty funny once you get to know him. I'll tell you first hand he's here to educate and NOT belittle you. Take what people say with a GRAIN OF SALT until you really get to KNOW them.

This is a great board, so stick around. If you can take our advice and learn from it, you'll do alright here. Welcome to the board btw.

**BlackRain** · 11-11-2005, 07:35 PM

As some have suggested I will take it with grain of salt, I can respect the fact that there are scam artists tryin to rip honest people off and that some here get offended by certain things a newbie can say (ie: the scam artist). But I will say again that I do not have any intention of selling the cigars I purchased in my own defence. But rather I was looking for information.... yes Im a newb at the cigar stuff which prompted me to ask for opinions and help on how to store them.
To answer your question as to what other brands of cigars where there at my purchase point... each of the names you mentioned were represented as were 5 or 6 others in another display case but in honesty I did not pay any attention to the brands.... a mistake on my part.
I am however going to have my purchase checked by a cigar rep in my area to see if he can better determine if mine are fakes or not.... without having any more knowledge on the subject of cigars I can only go on what I have learned so far from the net and can say this with certainty.
The box is actually branded not ink stamped
The Cuban seal is of the correct size, shape, placement as is the inks and is actually textured to the touch.
The box itself is not showing signs of continued use or repackaging
The manufacturers factory code and date make sense as to the inforamation that is available on the net.
The cigars are all of the correct length and size with no noticable differences between them.
The bands are identical to the ones I found posted on the net that are real.
The box guarantee is of the correct size and placement in the box is correct.

Now with the exception of actually tearing apart the cigar and checking it, to which I have no idea what to look for in the first place. All the proper markers and identifiying marks are correct. So I will wait to give one to the local rep. and see what he has to say about them. As to what I paid for them.... it was a good deal... not overly remarkable but a good deal in my opinion.

BlackRain.